On Belching

My wife has asked me not to belch,
At least to cover up my mouth.
But belches can’t be squelched.
Your stomach grumbles and they’re out.
Loud and clear. It can’t be helped.

Please note: we’re talking belch, not burp.
Burps are nothing. Not a problem.
Short and sweet, they don’t offend.
They’re over quick and soon forgotten.
Belches, on the other hand,
Linger in the atmosphere
hang in the air and resonate
well beyond when burps would end.

I can even belch out words
like Yowzer and Barrabas.
“You think that’s funny?” says my wife.
“I’m asking you to be polite.”
And even though I can’t refrain
from belching to my heart’s content,
I know she’s right.